System and method for combined use of different display/appliance types with system-controlled, context-dependent information display

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system and a method for combined use of different display/appliance types ( 1 . . . 10 ) with system-controlled, context-dependent information display, having a mobile data processing apparatus ( 12 ) and having a large number of interaction appliances ( 1 . . . 10 ), which are operated in parallel on the mobile data processing apparatus ( 12 ) for display and/or input, and having a higher-level system for monitoring the interaction appliances ( 1 . . . 10 ) in such a manner that at least one respectively suitable output medium ( 1 . . . 10 ) is selected as a function of the input parameters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a system and a method for combined use of different display/appliance types with a system-controlled, context-dependent information display.

[0002] Such a system and method are used, for example, in the field of automation, for production machines and machine tools, for process automation, for diagnosis/servicing support systems and for complex components, appliances and systems, such as vehicles and industrial machines and plant. One particularly advantageous application relates to augmented reality (AR), a new form of man-machine interaction, in which information is overlaid on the user's field of view, for example using data goggles. However, the overlaying process is context-dependent, that is to say is matched to and derived from the object being viewed, for example a component. The actual field of view of, for example, a fitter thus has information that is important to him added by means of overlaid installation instructions. In this case, augmented reality can, inter alia, replace the conventional installation manual. The solution approach proposed here relates to the use of augmented reality (AR) for installation and assembly, and in the field of servicing and maintenance.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a system and a method which allow information to be provided as appropriate for the situation and user.

[0004] This object is achieved by a system for structuring, preparing and outputting information, with the system containing a number of interaction appliances for outputting information to a user and for detecting inputs by the user, and a computer unit which can be carried on the body of the user and has an interaction monitoring system for controlling and coupling the interaction appliances, for evaluating a context, which is defined by input parameters, of a specific work situation for the user, for determining the interaction appliances and for selecting the information to be output, in each case as a function of the specific context.

[0005] This object is achieved by a method for structuring, preparing and outputting information, in which a number of interaction appliances are used to output information to a user and to detect inputs by the user, and the interaction appliances are controlled and coupled by means of an interaction monitoring system in a computer unit which can be carried on the body of the user, a context, which is defined by input parameters, of a specific work situation for the user is evaluated, the interaction appliances are determined, and the information to be output is in each case selected as a function of the specific context.

[0006] The system is advantageously designed such that the interaction monitoring system contains evaluation means for prioritization of one or more interaction appliances, and such that the interaction appliances contain output means for outputting a result of the prioritization to the user. The user can use the output result to make it easier to decide which interaction means it will be sensible for him to use. The large number of interaction means used make it possible, in particular, for the information to be in the form of static and dynamic information. Depending on the nature of the information, that interaction means that is most suitable for information reproduction is proposed or selected by the interaction monitoring system. The interaction monitoring system is advantageously intended for activation and deactivation of the interaction appliances as a function of inputs by the user, so that only the actually desired interaction appliances are used in parallel. One particularly suitable interaction appliance for use in the field of augmented reality is a head mounted display with means for detecting inputs by the user, for example a microphone or keys.

[0007] The invention will be described and explained in more detail in the following text with reference to the exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the figures, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 shows an overview of the major system components of a cooperative, augmented work environment;

[0009]FIG. 2 shows possible types of input/output appliances for a cooperative, augmented work environment; and

[0010]FIG. 3 shows an exemplary application of the practical use of augmented reality.

[0011] In present-day information technology, the wide range of information and data whose suitable structuring and provision by means of data-processing, electronic media and, finally, whose adequate presentation and display to the user [lacuna], represents a problem in many fields of application. With regard to information provision that is appropriate to the situation and user—one of which is characteristic of augmented reality-based systems. It is in this case important which interaction appliance 1 . . . 10 is available to the user 11 (for visual or else audible information). Various types of such interaction appliances 1 . . . 10 are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0012] Particularly in work situations/environments where information 14 whose scope varies from simple texts to detailed graphics—plays a role, this is a requirement for system design: which appliance 1 . . . 10 will the user 11 be faced with for his task? This relates, for example, to a specialist worker/servicing specialist 11 during his activities such as fault diagnosis, commissioning, maintenance or repair of machines/plant: the information that he requires from installation manuals, system documentation or else dynamically determined process values comprises, inter alia, texts, simple displays of variables or values, or else design drawings such as electrical or mechanical CAD diagrams up to video sequences, for example as task instructions. In principle, the various information types also result in different requirement categories for the display characteristics of the interaction appliance 1 . . . 10 being used.

[0013] Previous solutions have generally been based on the use of one type of interaction appliance 1 . . . 10. At best, different, independently operating interaction appliances 1 . . . 10 are used. The user 11 searches for the information 14 required at that time on independently functioning systems. Until now, no support has been provided for a coordinated output, appropriate to the situation, on display appliances 1 . . . 10, which differ but are at the same time connected, in the field of view of the user 11.

[0014] With the solution proposed here, the user 11 is provided with a mobile computer 12, which may possibly be carried on the body and is distinguished in that a number of interaction appliances 1 . . . 10 are operated as display and/or input means in parallel on this computer 12, or are coupled to this computer 12 without the use of wires. A higher-level system (cited here: interaction monitoring system for the “cooperative, augmented environment”) carries out the monitoring function over the interaction appliances 1 . . . 10: it evaluates the context, defined by different input parameters, of the specific work situation 17 (location, time, work process, system state—that is to say process data—, actual user focus, etc.) and decides the output medium 1 . . . 10 which is respectively suitable for the user: voice output, simple output on head mounted display or data goggles, details displays, for example on a handheld appliance; system overview and system control on a stationary monitor. In this case, the overall system also provides specifically for the combined use of different display appliances 1 . . . 10 of such a type. In this case, the user 11 may be informed alternately, by means of the display options of the appliances 1 . . . 10 when information that is in each case significant for a further appliance 1 . . . 10 comes into view. The advantage is selection, that is appropriate to the user with respect to the information 14 to be displayed, of the interaction appliances 1 . . . 10 even in the context of the given work situation 17. The user 11 can vary the number of appliances 1 . . . 10 available to him, that is to say he can also reduce or increase the number, or make this number known to the interaction monitoring system. The following items should be mentioned as special features: context information (location, time, work process, system state—that is to say process data—, actual user focus etc.) is evaluated for selection and coordination of interaction appliances 1 . . . 10, especially display appliances, as appropriate to the situation and user. A mobile computer 12, carried on the body, is provided, with the capability to connect a number of different types of displays 1 . . . 10 and, possibly, being connected to further, external, mobile or stationary appliances 1 . . . 10, which are included in the information presentation process, without the use of wires.

[0015] One possible scenario of an exemplary embodiment is as follows:

[0016] The servicing technician 11 enters an automatically controlled system or plant, in which he is to carry out maintenance or repair work. The servicing technician 11 is equipped with a computer 12 (wearable computer on a belt), which is carried on the body and is referred to in the following text as a service computer. This service computer 12 is connected to a head-worn or head mounted display (HMD), a display appliance 1, 7 positioned in the field of view of the user 11. Furthermore, the computer 12 has equipment for acoustic input (microphone 2) and audible output (headset 3). As a further display appliance, the service computer is connected to a flat panel display 6, which the user 11 keeps with him while he is working, in a pocket attached to the belt. A network link without the use of wires is used for interchanging data between the service computer 12 and further, additional stationary computers. In the first display 1, 7, directly in his field of view, the user 11 is provided merely with simple instructions 14 relating to the procedure for his present work situation 17. This does not restrict his field of view and perception of the actual task. In addition, relevant process data, which characterize the system or plant situation in more detail, are overlaid automatically for him or on demand. This is done via the wire-free network link from the service computer 12. At the moment when the work situation 17 requires detailed information, for example, from the system documentation, to be displayed, the user 11 is provided in his display 1, 7 with information of, for example, the “updated detailed information on the flat panel display” type. This information may possibly also be provided audibly. The user 11 acknowledges that he is aware of the new information, otherwise he will be reminded of it once again after a given time interval. A stationary computer 4 in the user's working environment 17 is also notified when said user 11 is provided with relevant information.

[0017] Augmented reality is a new form of man machine interaction (see FIG. 3) that provides the user 11 with information 14, for example by overlaying in his field of view 15 via data goggles 7. The data goggles 7 contain not only a display apparatus arranged in the area of the lenses of the goggles but also a video recording apparatus 13 in the form of a camera, and a microphone 2. The user 11 can use the data goggles 7 to move in the area of the system and to carry out servicing or maintenance tasks. With suitable system support, the information 14 is overlaid on a context-dependent basis, that is to say matching and derived from the object 16 being viewed, for example a component or an installation environment. The actual field of view 16 of a fitter 11, for example, thus has important information added to it by means of overlaid installation instructions 14. The video information recorded by the camera 13 is used to determine the viewing focus of the user 11, and thus the object 16 being looked at. In the situation described, augmented reality firstly replaces the conventional installation manual, and also provides up-to-date process-relevant information such as pressure, temperature, and rotation speed. FIG. 3 shows a sketch of the overlaying of information 14 (in this case: two task steps) against the background from reality in the given work situation 17 (here, pipeline installation).

[0018] In summary, the invention relates to a system and a method for combined use of different display/appliance types 1 . . . 10 with system-controlled, context-dependent information display, having a mobile data processing apparatus 12 and having a large number of interaction appliances 1 . . . 10, which are operated in parallel on the mobile data processing apparatus 12, for display and/or input, and having a higher-level system for monitoring the interaction appliances 1 . . . 10 in such a manner that at least one respectively suitable output medium 1 . . . 10 is selected as a function of the input parameters. 

We claim:
 1. A system for structuring, preparing and outputting information with the system containing a number of interaction appliances for outputting information to a user and for detecting inputs by the user and a computer unit which can be carried on the body of the user and has an interaction monitoring system for controlling and coupling the interaction appliances for evaluating a context, which is defined by input parameters, of a specific work situation for the user for determining the interaction appliances and for selecting the information to be output, in each case as a function of the specific context.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the interaction monitoring system contains evaluation means for prioritization of one or more interaction appliances and in that the interaction appliances contain output means for outputting a result of the prioritization to the user.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the information is in the form of static and dynamic information.
 4. The system as claimed according to claim 1, wherein the interaction monitoring system is intended for activation and deactivation of interaction appliances as a function of inputs by the user.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein in that at least one interaction appliance is in the form of a head mounted display with means for detecting inputs by the user.
 6. A method for structuring, preparing and outputting information in which a number of interaction appliances are used to output information to a user and to detect inputs by the user and the interaction appliances are controlled and coupled by means of an interaction monitoring system in a computer unit which can be carried on the body of the user, a context, which is defined by input parameters, of a specific work situation for the user is evaluated, the interaction appliances are determined, and the information to be output is in each case selected as a function of the specific context.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the interaction monitoring system is prioritized by evaluation means in one or more interaction appliances and in that a result of the prioritization is output to the user using output means in the interaction appliances.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the information is in the form of static and dynamic information.
 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the interaction monitoring system activates and deactivates the interaction appliances as a function of inputs by the user.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein at least one interaction appliance is in the form of a head mounted display with means for detecting inputs by the user. 